Micro Switch 58SW5-9
Posted: 15 Jan 2021, 20:00
I recently purchased this Micro Switch SW series keyboard model number 58SW5-9 and I am having trouble figuring out exactly what it is.
Superficially the layout looks quite a lot like the IBM 3277 that sometimes came with the same switches that are documented in these Deskthority posts: [1], [2], so I thought it might be related. However, the layout is different, the model number is different, and there is no IBM branding anywhere, and this keyboard uses different colored sliders than the ones in those posts.
It appears that this board was made in 1977, and I’m not sure what the other part of the date code means. Using this wonderful catalog entry from 1973. The board does appear similar to other communications keyboards, but I don't know for sure. If anyone knows anything about this model number I would be very excited, because I haven’t been able to find a reference to this model number anywhere.
Unfortunately most of the switches are unlabeled and so I can’t figure out which model most of the switches are. Almost all of the switches use red sliders, with a couple using green sliders. The right shift has a dummy switch to help stabilize, and the spacebar uses a wire stabilizer, and funnily enough the keycap doesn’t have a mount at all it simply presses on the top of the slider which has a fuzzy pad on it. Finally there is an alternate action lock switch which does have the label: 1SW13-R. The sensor die for the switches are labeled 298A for the red slider variant and 65C for the green. Using the wonderful chart I think the red switches are possibly1SW43-R or 1SW51-R and the greens 1SW31-R, 1SW41-R, or 1SW45-R, but I am not sure if this is even the switches in this board.
The switches and board are in good condition and so I do have some desire to convert it to USB, although I’m not sure how hard it will be. If anyone has resources or knowledge about converting SW keyboards I would appreciate it. Even without being about to use the board for now it is still a lot of fun to play with. The switches are Micro Switch SW, most of what I know about them came from this website and this video from Chyrosran22. They are extremely smooth, fairly stiff linear switches with a long travel distance, and are super fun to use. Watch the video if you want a full review.
Superficially the layout looks quite a lot like the IBM 3277 that sometimes came with the same switches that are documented in these Deskthority posts: [1], [2], so I thought it might be related. However, the layout is different, the model number is different, and there is no IBM branding anywhere, and this keyboard uses different colored sliders than the ones in those posts.
It appears that this board was made in 1977, and I’m not sure what the other part of the date code means. Using this wonderful catalog entry from 1973. The board does appear similar to other communications keyboards, but I don't know for sure. If anyone knows anything about this model number I would be very excited, because I haven’t been able to find a reference to this model number anywhere.
Unfortunately most of the switches are unlabeled and so I can’t figure out which model most of the switches are. Almost all of the switches use red sliders, with a couple using green sliders. The right shift has a dummy switch to help stabilize, and the spacebar uses a wire stabilizer, and funnily enough the keycap doesn’t have a mount at all it simply presses on the top of the slider which has a fuzzy pad on it. Finally there is an alternate action lock switch which does have the label: 1SW13-R. The sensor die for the switches are labeled 298A for the red slider variant and 65C for the green. Using the wonderful chart I think the red switches are possibly1SW43-R or 1SW51-R and the greens 1SW31-R, 1SW41-R, or 1SW45-R, but I am not sure if this is even the switches in this board.
The switches and board are in good condition and so I do have some desire to convert it to USB, although I’m not sure how hard it will be. If anyone has resources or knowledge about converting SW keyboards I would appreciate it. Even without being about to use the board for now it is still a lot of fun to play with. The switches are Micro Switch SW, most of what I know about them came from this website and this video from Chyrosran22. They are extremely smooth, fairly stiff linear switches with a long travel distance, and are super fun to use. Watch the video if you want a full review.